American United Taxi speaks out after driver infected with rubella

MILWAUKEE — The American United Taxi Cab company says a driver with rubella – a rare infectious virus, may have come into contact with more than 50 customers.

American United spoke out Friday, April 27th for the first time since learning one of their drivers became infected with rubella, also known as the German measles. The highly contagious virus is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, causing miscarriages and birth deformities.

American United says the cab driver only used one car while contagious between April 13th and April 21st. The driver worked a cash only cab from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and stuck to downtown. The driver did not transport any medical patients.

“We want to ensure our customers that we have done everything possible to isolate this incident and this is only involving one driver and one taxi,” Red Christensen with American United said.

The cab company has isolated the cab involved and it is being decontaminated.

“Rubella is a highly infectious disease. It’s a viral disease, and it’s especially dangerous for pregnant women or women of child bearing age,” Paul Biedrzycki with the City of Milwaukee Health Department said.

The Milwaukee Health Department is asking anyone who believes they may have been in an American United cab during those hours and dates to contact your local health department.